Vicar at Large

Pulpit Vocabulary

2010-08-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

Last night I made a cynical statement with a selfish spin. It went something like this: “That’s ok; the more parents repress children, the more folks I’ll have in therapy as adults.” Many around me found it funny, but the joke was my way of handling the sad reality that congregants really do not understand the role of preaching and pastoral care.
The joking comment came up in a discussion of the pastor’s sermon on Rahab, the woman who helped Joshua and the spies defeat the city of Jericho (Joshua 6). The problem is Rahab is called a prostitute in the scripture. [Some translations use “harlot,” but it’s no less difficult a concept.] Some parents were concerned that they had to explain the word prostitute to their children. While I don’t envy them that task, I understand the importance of preaching about reality from the pulpit. If we cannot expect to hear the truth about the ugliness of life —and God’s love for us in the midst of it—in church, where will we hear it?
It is a great comfort to me that the Bible deals with real life. It’s sad that thousands of years later some of God’s children must support themselves as sex workers. I guess that’s what really bothers me. I’m not concerned that a preacher might say the word prostitute from the pulpit, but I’m concerned that the work is a reality for so many people. It would be wonderful if we could tell children “that’s a very difficult job (hard physical labor) that people used to do when they had no other way to earn a living.”
It’s also a great comfort that we pray to the Incarnate One, who understands the limits and benefits of a body. Jesus Christ understands our pain and knows the extremes that can be endured. It’s also a comfort to me to have ministers who are willing to preach God’s word, even when some of the language is difficult to hear. Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31b-32).
So, let us dwell in the word and know the truth, being free to speak that truth as well.

Science and Religion article

2010-05-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting take on the science religion debate that may appeal to Lutherans, who tend to be pro-scienc and pro-faith.
http://www.utne.com/Spirituality/Will-the-True-Nonbelievers-Please-Shut-Up.aspx?utm_content=05.25.10+Spirituality&utm_campaign=Emerging+Ideas-Every+Day&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

Monthly Themes

2010-04-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

Blogging is an awkward exercise. The audience is unclear and their needs are uncertain. So, I'm going to try to make it a little easier for us all. Over the next few months, I plan to post thematic items on a semi-regular basis. April's theme is "Science Tidbits Related to Spirituality." The first entry deals with temptation on the brain.
May has many national awareness themes. A quick Google search revealed several: Physical Fitness Month, National Salad Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and National Preservation Month. The 2010 theme for Mental Health Awareness is "Live Your Life Well." The theme for Preservation is "Old is the New Green." So, I'm thinking posts will relate to health--mind, body, spirit, and all of creation.
Stay tuned, and of course, ask any questions you may have.

Your Brain on Prayer

2009-12-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

Researcher Uffe Schjoedt and colleagues (2009) measured brain functioning of Danish Lutherans as they prayed either formalized (the Lord’s Prayer) or spontaneous prayers. As controls, the research participants’ brains were also scanned while they recited a well-rehearsed nursery rhyme and made wishes to Santa Claus. Brain images revealed that when people prayed the Lord’s Prayer and recited nursery rhymes both activated regions of the frontal cortex and cerebellum associated with rehearsal and retrieval of information. Spontaneous prayer activated three regions of the cortex associated with interpersonal interaction, but making wishes to Santa did not. All participants reported belief in God and in God’s response to prayers. This means our brains process spontaneous prayers as conversations between real, active participants.
So what can we do with this information? We can start (and/or) end each day with the Lord’s Prayer, as Martin Luther suggested. That reminds us of God’s qualities and our relationship to the divine, now and forever. We can then strengthen that relationship through our personal prayers—engaging in conversation with God about ourselves, our neighbors, and the world.

Concerned about Peace in the Middle East?

2009-11-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

If you're concerned about peace you're probably concerned about peace in the Middle East. Check out what the ELCA and others are doing:
http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Peace-Not-Walls.aspx

Who would Jesus vote for?

2009-11-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

You may have seen something like this on a bumper sticker a few years ago. When I first saw it I thought it was propaganda from some extremist group. The more I thought about it though, the less it seemed to push any agenda except maybe that of Jesus. What a radical concept!
The short answer to "Who would Jesus vote for?" is "it depends." It depends on whether the candidate cared to meet the needs of the people, not just their voting constituents. That's a lot to ask of any public servant, even clergyfolk. I’m new to this role, but I can already recall too many conversations that started as lectures about how I offended someone’s political sensibilities. I must confess that I have little patience for such nonsense. When I talk to someone about the gospel, I do not want to hear about political affiliations. When I talk truth, I do not want to hear responses about traditions. When I ask people to recall what God has asked of them, I do not expect to hear what their favorite political pundit has to say about the work.
I haven’t found any mysterious reading of Scripture that predicts who will or should win elections, but I can share a few basic principles about how those of us who pray “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-13) may want to keep in mind on election days.
Feed my sheep (John 21: 15-17)
..love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… (Matthew 6:44)
…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. (Matthew 25:35-36)
If someone is trying to convince you to avoid these things, be very suspicious.

Videos about the ELCA

2009-10-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

It has taken a while, but the denomination has taken a huge step towards truly inclusive social justice in the arena of human sexuality. This and a few other videos are linked below.

ELCA Social Statement on Sexuality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQmTSG2ceC0
ELCA Identity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAKCHLzKc-0
The Story of the ELCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl6_vAstDzg